Technical Abstract:
Stocking density is reported to adversely affect several behaviors of broilers. However, the relationship of density to eating and drinking behavior in broilers is not totally understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if stocking density affects the number of eating and drinking events per bird per day. Also, number of eating and drinking events in the morning, afternoon and evening were determined. Cameras were mounted over each of two pens which possessed stocking densities of 19.5, 24.4, 29.3, 34.2, 39.0, 43.9, 48.8, and 53.7 kg/m2 based on a projected final BW of 3.27kg at 49d. Cameras were concealed and birds were not aware of the presence of these cameras. Cameras were operated by a computer and in-time recordings were made from 0600 to 0615, 1400 to 1415 and 2200 to2215 daily from d35 through d49. Data were pooled over days, since a main effect for days was not found. Correlation coefficients (r2) of -0.26 (P'0.00) and -0.22 (P'0.00) were found, respectively, for increasing density and number of eating and drinking events per bird. Additionally, r2 of -0.26 (P'0.00) and -0.20 (P'0.00) were found for time of day and number of eating and drinking events per bird. As the day progressed, the number of both eating and drinking events per bird decreased.